The Indians designated Marte for assignment today after acquiring right-hander Juan Salas from Tampa Bay for minor league infielder Isaias Velasquez. Salas will report to big-league camp and add another arm to the competition for the lone spot in manager Eric Wedge's bullpen.

Marte was supposed to be the right-handed power hitter that the Indians have been looking for since the departure of Manny Ramires when GM Mark Shapiro acquired him from Boston before the 2006 season. The Indians parted with outfielder Coco Crisp in the six-player deal.

Instead Marte, billed as a run-producing third baseman, never hit as expected.

The Indians gave Marte the third base job last season after trading Casey Blake to the Dodgers on July 26, but he couldn't take advantage of the opportunity. Marte hit .221 (52-for-235) with three homers and 17 RBI. He's a .219 (100-for-456) with 30 doubles, nne homers and 48 RBI in his career with the Tribe.

Now the Indians have 10 days to trade, release or put Marte, 25, on waivers. If Marte clears waivers, the Indians will send him to Class AAA Columbus.

"Andy is still working to be more consistent offensively at the big league level," said Wedge. "That's been his one big stumbling block. He's still a young man. He still has a chance to get there, but with him being out of options that's where we are this spring."

Marte knew knew something like this could probably happen on the first day of camp.

"What can I do?" he said last week. "There's 29 other teams out there."

Wedge said if Marte clears waivers, the Indians would bring him back to spring training. They are going to need third baseman to get through the Cactus League season because third baseman Mark DeRosa is playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Salas, 30, pitched five games for the Rays last year. He had no record and a 7.71 ERA, allowing five runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Tampa Bay designated Salas for assignment last week. They had 10 days to trade, release or try to get him through waivers.

"He has a good arm and he's in the mix here," said Wedge. "He also has an option left."

Salas signed with the Rays in 2004 as an infielder. He was converted to a reliever the same year and made his big-league debut in 2006. He's 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in 47 big-league games.

He spent most of last year at Class AAA Durham, going 4-5 with a 2.62 ERA 28 appearances. Salas struck out 53 and walked 11 in 44 2/3 innings.

Salas is 13-7 with a 2.54 ERA and 20 saves in his minor league career.

Velasquez, who played 39 of his 64 games at second base last year for Class A Mahoning Valley, hit .281 (68-for-243) with 10 doubles, one triple, one homer and 18 RBI. He made 21 errors.

Goodyear salute: The Indians will offer a military discount to their first three games at Goodyear Ballpark. The will play the Giants Feb. 25, the Diamondbacks Feb. 26 and the Padres Feb. 27.

For all active military personnel with a valid ID, outfield reserved tickets will be reduced from $12 to $1. For their family members, the same seats will be $7. Tickets must be purchased at the Goodyear ticket office.

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